I just ate this for lunch. Delicious! I must really be maturing because a year ago I thought I hated them but now I’m even enjoying beets without the help of goat cheese or toasted nuts (both could be added but I promise it’s not necessary). The real star of this salad is the pluot. In case you’re not familiar, a pluot is a hybrid of a plum and an apricot. It has the texture of a plum but the flesh is slightly more firm and sweet and the skin is not as bracingly tart but still has a good little pucker to it. They really liven up and compliment the earthy sweet beet. They are in season now, I picked them up at Costco, and you’ll know they are ripe if they feel a little soft when pressed.

This salad comes together quickly; you’ll start by making the dressing right in the serving bowl. If you have your own roasted beets on hand, congratulations. If not, I hope it goes without saying there’s no shame in a shortcut and these precooked Love Beets are great.

Make sure you use truly sweet onions, also in season now, such as Walla Walla if you’re in the Pacific Northwest. Vidalia and Maui are also well known varieties. You should be able to take a bite of raw onion and actually enjoy it – an added bonus is they generally don’t cause tears.

Slice pluots away from the pit and halve the slices to get large chunks.

Quarter and slice the beets.

Place pluots and beets in bowl… Aren’t they cute together?

Add spinach and onion, toss to combine all the ingredients in the salad.

Finish with a little more salt and pepper and you’re done!

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I signed my girls up for only two weeks of day camp this summer. The first week was in late June, the other is this week. I don’t think it’s coincidence my only other blog post of the summer was that late June week… Oh well! I’ll see you in the fall if the rest of the summer escapes me. 8 year old girls are too much fun!

When I get discouraged about my lack of productivity (which is often!) I try to remember these words of wisdom.

“When in doubt, choose the kids. There will be plenty of time later to choose work.”

Oh yes, I will be making this lovely looking salad this week for sure. I love beetroots too. Thanks Auntie, I just need to find this apricot thing in the shops. Is there anything else you can use just in case I can't find them?Enjoy the remnants of this warm weekend.

Hello! I'm Molly, aka Auntie. I live in beautiful Bend, OR with my husband, twin girls, and our dogs, Scooter and Scout. I love to share cherished family recipes and develop recipes of my own, focusing on wholesome, healthy ingredients. I started this blog with the intention to teach my nieces and others to prepare meals on their own and demystify the process a bit. I hope to encourage and inspire home cooking because I truly believe it’s essential to our health and well-being.